The Wonderful Wines of ProvenceBy Peter Carnes
Over half a century ago, Elizabeth David, the doyenne of British food writers, wrote somewhat disparagingly about the wine of Provence.
"It was”, she wrote, “the kind of wine which it was wisest to drink out of a tumbler so that there was room for a large proportion of water"!
She was talking specifically about the wines of the Luberon, but her opinion of Provençal wines in general was not much higher.
"Most of them," she wrote, "are … [Read more...]

By Anabelle Lim-balanzar
Dubbed as the millionaire’s playground, St. Tropez is home to some of the world’s most immaculate beaches. This medieval town remains to be well-known for its yachts that line along the harbors, and the expensive cars that cruise its streets.
As a tourist mecca for the rich and famous, St. Tropez has its share of the best and the most private luxury villas in the world. Villazzo Villa Hotels are among those who cater to the special needs of the elite. With seven … [Read more...]

A Once In A Lifetime Luxury Holiday Week In Paris - At A DiscountBy Suzanne De Cornelia
For me, there is no better place to stay for a week at the holidays than on or near Rue Saint Dominque in the 7th Arrondissement. This is the street where Ludwig Bemelman set his enchanting series of Madeline books, so it feels like the Paris of our dreams, and also like coming home.
If you're a resolute France-lover like me and can't wait to return, or are dreaming about your first trip, or perhaps … [Read more...]

Markets in French ProvinceBy Tatyana Kogut
Provence. Saint-Tropez.
Saint-Tropez has 12 markets: fruit, honey, flower, fish markets and Place des Lices – the region’s most popular street market. Two steps from the coast, under the plane-tree, old people usually play petanque. But on Tuesdays and Saturdays this place is occupied with long rows of counters. They sell traditional Provence fabrics. This is a parti-coloured cotton textile with a traditional pattern depicting olive branches and … [Read more...]

By Cheryl Antier
This is part 2 of a two-part article that gives you 10 of the best ideas for family activities when planning a vacation on the French Riviera.
6. MarineLand
MarineLand is Europe’s biggest marine park, located in Antibes. Come and watch as the Bottlenose Dolphins show off their speed, dexterity and agility – and marvel at the complete trust they display in their trainers, as man and dolphin work together in a beautiful water ballet. And your kids will enjoy the … [Read more...]

By Cheryl Antier
If you're planning a family vacation to the French Riviera, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the large number of indoor and outdoor activities that will appeal to children of all ages, abilities and preferences. There are also activities that will fit any budget. Here are 10 ideas that are sure to be a hit with your kids:
1. The Côte d’Azur – Through the Eyes of the Masters
Spend some time discovering the French Riviera by walking in the footsteps of some of … [Read more...]

By Alice Flowers
Nice is in the south of France. The Queen of the French Riviera, which the French call "la Cote d'Azur" (AzureCoast or Blue Coast). It is a wonderful city with lots of charm and character; a mixture of French and Italian cultures where the people are easy-going and friendly even if you don't speak French.
Although you might think it is a summer resort, you can visit Nice at any time of the year and still have a good time. If you happen to go in the winter, you will … [Read more...]

By Miguel Scaccialupo
There are many approaches to second language learning, but few methods produce better results than studying a language in the country where that language is spoken. Daily immersion in language and culture is the key to gaining real proficiency in any language. So where better to learn the French language than in France itself! France is a fascinating and diverse country with an astonishingly rich cultural heritage and simply fantastic food!
Learning a language in the … [Read more...]

By Cheryl Antier
If you're planning to travel to the south of France in the near future, think about adding a trip to one of the vineyards of the 60 wine growers in the "Côtes de Provence" region to your vacation itinerary.
A small, yet beautiful area, the Provence area of wines takes in the departments of the Var and part of the Bouches-du-Rhône.
An indigo sky, azure sea and miles of white, sandy beaches welcome you to this place. Limestone cliffs and medieval villages give way to … [Read more...]

By Cheryl Antier
So you've decided to to take a vacation in the south of France, and you've been looking into renting a French Riviera villa rather than staying at a hotel. There are many advantages to renting a villa.
A villa in the French Riviera offers many advantages over staying in a hotel. For example, at your own private villa, you will have complete privacy and security - most villas in the French Riviera have security fences and many are gated and offer security guards who … [Read more...]